Mounting hook

ABSTRACT

An improved hook for mounting a structure to a relatively thin wall is provided. The hook comprises a base member having an inner surface adapted to be coupled to the structure to be mounted and a generally flat outer surface. An elongated arcuate member is coupled to the outer surface of the base and extends outwardly and upwardly therefrom beyond the top edge of the base. A plurality of slots and ridges are provided on the base outer surface and arcuate member which cooperate with suitable cutouts in the associated wall in securing the hook to the wall.

United States Patent Donald F. Williams Somerville;

Gerald ll. Cox, Flemington, both of NJ. 47,772

June 19, 1970 Dec. 21 1971 Fedders Corporation Edison, NJ.

Continuation-ln-part of application Ser. No. 865,611, Oct. 13, 1969, now abandoned. This application June 19, 1970, Ser. No.

inventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee MOUNTING HOOK 10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 248/235, 108/107, 248/223 Int. Cl A47g 29/02 Field of Search 248/73, 235, 239, 243, 241, 251, 223, 224,225; 108/107, 108,109,110,l52

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,211,992 1/1917 Winter 248/223 X 2,542,753 2/1951 Swart 248/239 3,468,507 9/1969 Gerdman 248/243 3,480,243 1 H1969 Summerville 248/224 X FORElGN PATENTS 1,025,357 4/1966 Great Britain 248/243 Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Attorney-Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan & Kurucz ABSTRACT: An improved hook for mounting a structure to a relatively thin wall is provided. The hook comprises a base member having an inner surface adapted to be coupled to the structure to be mounted and a generally flat outer surface. An elongated arcuate member is coupled to the outer surface of the base and extends outwardly and upwardly therefrom beyond the top edge of the base. A plurality of slots and ridges are provided on the base outer surface and arcuate member which cooperate with suitable cutouts in the associated wall in securing the hook to the wall.

MOUNTING HOOK CROSS-REFERENCES TO OTHER APPLICATIONS The present application comprises a continuation-in-part of the presently pending application Ser. No. 865,611 filed Oct. 13, 1969 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a mounting hook of the type particularly adapted for use as a shelf retainer for a refrigerator door or other similar appliance.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a mounting hook which will permit the mounting of a structure to a hollow wall member and which, when mounted to the wall member may be shifted to a position wherein the mounted structure may be securely locked to the wall member.

The above and other beneficial objects and advantages are obtained in accordance with the present invention by providing a mounting hook having a base member with one surface adapted to be coupled to the structure to be mounted with an arcuate member coupled to the opposite surface of the base member. One end of the arcuate member is coupled to the base, the other end is free and extends outwardly away from the base member and thereafter returns toward the base member but tenninates short of the outer surface of the base member a distance equal to the thickness of the wall with which the hook is to be associated. The arcuate member also extends upwardly so that'the bottom edge of the free end is positioned above the top edge of the base member. The inner peripheral edge of the arcuate member is concave thereby defining a spacing between the outer surface of the base member and the inner peripheral edge. A slot is provided ex tending upwardly from the bottom edge of the interface between the arcuate member and base member and outwardly from the interface for a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall with which the hook is to be associated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a primary embodiment of the mounting hook of the present invention:

FIG. 2 is a side elevational-sectional view of the mounting hook of the present invention shown in combination with the wall with which it is to be associated and the structure to be mounted to the wall;

FIG, 3 is a sectional view taken along reference lines 3-3 in FIG. 2 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along reference lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational-sectional view of a first alternate embodiment of the mounting hook of the present invention shown in combination with the wall with which it is to be associated and the structure to be mounted to the wall;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along reference lines 66 of FIG. 5 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along reference lines 7-7 of FIG. 5 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 for a second alternate embodiment of a mounting hook in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along reference lines 99 of FIG. 8 in the direction indicated by the arrow; and

FIG. I0 is a sectional view taken along reference lines 10- l0'of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM BODIM ENT The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar components bear the same reference numeral throughout the several views. Reference is not made to the drawings and in particular to FIGs. 1-4 wherein a preferred embodiment of the mounting book 10 of the present invention is illustrated in combination with a structure I2 to be mounted to a hollow wall member 14. In a typical application, the wall member 14 may comprise an inner wall of a refrigerator door or other similar appliance and the structure 12 could comprise a shelf or a shelf retainer bracket. In a successful practice of the invention wherein the book was used in conjunction with a refrigerator, the hook was a unitary integral-member molded of plastic and the structure 12 was a shelf retainer bracket formed of aluminum and provided with integral spikes which were used to secure the bracket to the hook.

Hook 10 includes an arcuate portion 16 which extends outwardly from base member 18 and is formed integral therewith. The structure 12 to be mounted is connected to a tab 20 which in turn is coupled to the inner surface of the base member 18. In this preferred embodiment tab 20 extends from the side of base 18 generally parallel to the plane of the base while the arcuate member 16 extends outwardly from the base generally perpendicular to the plane of the base. The plane of tab 20, however, could assume any desired angle with respect to that of base 18. Base member 18 has a generally flat outer surface 22 with top and bottom edges 24 and 26 respectively. The arcuate member 16 is provided with a generally concave inner peripheral edge 28 and extends upwardly and outwardly from the outer surface 22 of base 18 thereby defining a spacing between surface 22 and peripheral edge 28. One end 30 of the arcuate member is coupled to the outer surface 22 of the base member, the other end 32 is free. The arcuate member 16 extends upwardly and outwardly from end 30 and thereafter returns toward base 22 and terminates in free end 32 which is spaced outwardly from base 22 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall 14 with which the hook is to be associated. As will be noted, the inner peripheral edge of the arcuate member also extends upwardly so that the lower edge of free end 32 is spaced above the top edge 24 of base member 22.

A slot 34 extends upwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the arcuate member for some distance and extends outwardly into the arcuate member from the interface between the base and arcuate member for a distance equal to the thickness of wall 14. As shown, the slot extends upwardly into the arcuate member for approximately one-half the width of this member.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wall member with which the hook 10 is to be associated is provided with a cutout 36 to receive book 10. The length of cutout 36 is approximately equal to what would be the width of the arcuate member at the base interface in the absence of slot 34. A ridge 38 is provided on base surface 22 extending longitudinally along the projection of member 16 on the base. The length of ridge 38 is substantially equal to that of slot 34. A second ridge 40 is also provided on the base outer surface 22 forming an extension of the bottom edge 24. Ridge 40 serves to interferingly engage portions of wall 14 (as shown in FIG. 2) so as to lock ridge 38 in position within cutout 36.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5-7 wherein a first alternate embodiment of the mounting hook of the present invention is illustrated in combination with a structure 112 to be mounted to a hollow wall member 114.

Hook 110 includes an arcuate portion I16 which extends outwardly from base member 118 and is formed integral therewith. The structure 1 12 to be mounted is connected to a tab 120 which in turn is coupled to the inner surface of the base member 118. In this alternate embodiment tab 120 extends inwardly from base 118 at an acute angle with respect to a perpendicular to the base while the arcuate member 116 extends outwardly from the base generally perpendicular to the plane of the base. Base member 118 has a generally flat outer surface 122 with top and bottom edges 124 and 126 respectively. The arcuate member 116 is provided with a generally concave inner peripheral edge 128 and extends upwardly and outwardly from the outer surface 122 of base 118 thereby defining a spacing between surface 122 and peripheral edge 128. One end 130 of the arcuate member is coupled to the outer surface 122 of the base member, the other end 132 is free. The arcuate member 116 extends upwardly and outwardly from end 130 and thereafter returns toward base 122 and terminates in free end 132 which is spaced outwardly from base 122 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall 114 with which the hook is to be associated. As will be noted, the inner peripheral edge of the arcuate member also extends upwardly so that the lower edge of free end 32 is spaced above the top edge 24 of base member 22.

A slot 134 extends outwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the arcuate member for some distance and extends outwardly into the arcuate member from the interface between the base and arcuate member for a distance equal to the thickness of wall 114. As shown, the slot extends upwardly into the arcuate member for approximately one-half the width of this member.

The wall member with which the hook 110 is to be associated is provided with a cutout 136 to receive hook 110. The length of cutout 136 is approximately equal to what would be the width of the arcuate member at the base interface in the absence of slot 134. An indentation 138 extending across substantially the entire width of the ham is provided in approximate alignment with what, in the absence of slot 134, would be the bottom edge of the arcuate member at the interface with base 122. A corresponding embossment 140 is provided in wall 114 extending inwardly from the wall. The embossment 140 on wall 114 is positioned below cutout 136 a distance equal to the distance of indentation 138 below the top 142 of slot 134. The indentation 138 on book 110 and embossment 140 in the wall 114 cooperate in forming a snap lock designed to secure the hook and wall to one another.

In FIGS. 8-40 a second alternate embodiment of the mounting hook 210 of the present invention is illustrated. in this alternate embodiment, tab 220 extends from the side of base 218 generally transverse to the plane of arcuate member 216 so that the longitudinal axis of the structure to be mounted 212 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of arcuate member 216. The basic construction of this second alternate embodiment is substantially identical with that of the first alternate embodiment in other respects with exception that the locking means of the second alternate embodiment includes a lug 244i extending outwardly from the outer surface 222 of base 218 and a suitable hole in the wall member 214. Lug 244 is positioned at what would be the interface between arcuate member 216 and base 218 were it not for slot 234. Also, slot 234 instead of being substantially vertical and abutting the interface as in the primary embodiment, has its lower end spaced outwardly somewhat from the interface to clear lug 244 which is equal in length to the thickness of wall 214. The minimum width of slot 234 is still substantially equal to the thickness of the associated wall.

Installation of the hook is substantially the same for each of the embodiments. The book is installed by passing the free end of arcuate member through the wall cutout with the free end directed upwardly. When the entire arcuate member has passed through the cutout the hook and associated structure are shifted downwardly to cause the engagement of the cooperating parts of the locking means thereby fixing the hook in position. It should be apparent that the above installation procedure would have to vary if the orientation of the wall cutouts were changed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A mounting hook for mounting a structure to a wall pro vided with a suitable hook receiving cutout therein, said mounting hook including a base member adapted to be coupled to the structure to be mounted and having a generally flat outer surface and top and bottom peripheral edges; an arcuate member having one end coupled to said base member outer surface and extending outwardly from the plane of said base member and upwardly beyond said top edge, said arcuate member having an outer peripheral edge and a concave inner peripheral edge whereby to define a spacing between said inner peripheral edge and said base member outer surface; surfaces of said arcuate member defining a slot extending upwardly from the outer peripheral edge of said arcuate member toward the inner peripheral edge and outwardly from the interface of said base and arcuate member for a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall with which the hook is to be associated; and locking means coupled to said base member outer surface, said locking means including surfaces extending into or out of the plane of said base member outer surface and adapted to cooperate with complementary surfaces of said wall member to prevent movement of said hook.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said locking means includes an indentation extending across said base outer surface at substantially the projection of the outer peripheral edge of said arcuate member on said base and an embossment on the outer surface of said wall positioned below said cutout a distance substantially equal to the height of said hook slot.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a lug extending outwardly from said base outer surface at the projection of the outer peripheral edge of said arcuate member on said base, said lug extending into said slot for a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said associated wall, and an opening in said wall positioned below said cutout a distance substantially equal to the height of said hook slot adapted to receive said lug.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arcuate member terminates in a forward end and said forward end is directed toward said base member and spaced apart from said base member a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall with which the hook is to be associated.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arcuate member is formed integral with said base and extends outwardly therefrom perpendicular to the outer surface of the base member.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising tab means extending inwardly from the inner surface of said base member, said tab means being disposed in a plane defining an acute angle with the normal to the plane of the outer surface of said base member and said tab means is adapted to receive the structure to be mounted.

7. A mounting hook for mounting a structure to a wall provided with suitable hook receiving cutouts therein, said mounting hook including a base member adapted to be coupled to the structure to be mounted and having a generally flat outer surface and top and bottom peripheral edges; an arcuate member having one end coupled to said base member outer surface and extending outwardly from the plane of said base member and upwardly beyond said tip edge, said arcuate member having an outer peripheral edge and a concave inner peripheral edge whereby to define a spacing between said inner peripheral edge and said base member outer surface: surfaces of said arcuate member defining a slot extending upwardly from the outer peripheral edge of said arcuate member toward the inner peripheral edge and outwardly from the interface of said base and arcuate member for a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall with which the hook is to be associated; and a first ridge formed integral with said base outer surface extending longitudinally from said interface a distance substantially equal to the length of said slot.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a second ridge, said-second ridge extending transverse to said first ridge and disposed below said interface.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second ridge comprises an outward extension of said bottom peripheral edge.

10 The invention in accordance with claim 9 in combination with a relatively thin wall member having a first cutout extending longitudinally a distance substantially equal to the distance between the upper end of said slot and the upper end of said longitudinal ridge and second slot extending transversely a distance at least as great as the length of said second ridge, the

v 3 62 8 7 62 5 6 distance between said first and second cutouts being substantially equal to the distance between said second ridge and the upper end of said slot.

# i t i t 

1. A mounting hook for mounting a structure to a wall provided with a suitable hook receiving cutout therein, said mounting hook including a base member adapted to be coupled to the structure to be mounted and having a generally flat outer surface and top and bottom peripheral edges; an arcuate member having one end coupled to said base member outer surface and extending outwardly from the plane of said base member and upwardly beyond said top edge, said arcuate member having an outer peripheral edge and a concave inner peripheral edge whereby to define a spacing between said inner peripheral edge and said base member outer surface; surfaces of said arcuate member defining a slot extending upwardly from the outer peripheral edge of said arcuate member toward the inner peripheral edge and outwardly from the interface of said base and arcuate member for a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall with which the hook is to be associated; and locking means coupled to said base member outer surface, said locking means including surfaces extending into or out of the plane of said base member outer surface and adapted to cooperate with complementary surfaces of said wall member to prevent movement of said hook.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said locking means includes an indentation extending across said base outer surface at substantially the projection of the outer peripheral edge of said arcuate member on said base and an embossment on the outer surface of said wall positioned below said cutout a distance substantially equal to the height of said hook slot.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a lug extending outwardly from said base outer surface at the projection of the outer peripheral edge of said arcuate member on said base, said lug extending into said slot for a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said associated wall, and an opening in said wall positioned below said cutout a distance substantially equal to the height of said hook slot adapted to receive said lug.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arcuate member terminates in a forward end and said forward end is directed toward said base member and spaced apart from said base member a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall with which the hook is to be associated.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arcuate member is formed integral with said base and extends outwardly therefrom perpendicular to the outer surface of the base member.
 6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising tab means extending inwardly from the inner surface of said base member, said tab means being disposed in a plane defining an acute angle with the normal to the plane of the outer surface of said base member and said tab means is adapted to receive the structure to be mounted.
 7. A mounting hook for mounting a structure to a wall provided with suitable hook receiving cutouts therein, said mounting hook including a base member adapted to be coupled to the structure to be mounted and having a generally flat outer surface and top and bottom peripheral edges; an arcuate member having one end coupled to saId base member outer surface and extending outwardly from the plane of said base member and upwardly beyond said tip edge, said arcuate member having an outer peripheral edge and a concave inner peripheral edge whereby to define a spacing between said inner peripheral edge and said base member outer surface: surfaces of said arcuate member defining a slot extending upwardly from the outer peripheral edge of said arcuate member toward the inner peripheral edge and outwardly from the interface of said base and arcuate member for a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the wall with which the hook is to be associated; and a first ridge formed integral with said base outer surface extending longitudinally from said interface a distance substantially equal to the length of said slot.
 8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a second ridge, said second ridge extending transverse to said first ridge and disposed below said interface.
 9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second ridge comprises an outward extension of said bottom peripheral edge. 10 The invention in accordance with claim 9 in combination with a relatively thin wall member having a first cutout extending longitudinally a distance substantially equal to the distance between the upper end of said slot and the upper end of said longitudinal ridge and second slot extending transversely a distance at least as great as the length of said second ridge, the distance between said first and second cutouts being substantially equal to the distance between said second ridge and the upper end of said slot. 